Joan Carol (Heisley) Fisher, 75, of Lewisburg, died Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010, at her home after a brief illness.
Born in Lock Haven, Sept. 30, 1935, she was the third of four daughters born to the late Rev. Homer William Heisley, a Marysville native and Anna Evelyn (Page) Heisley, a native of Duncannon.
At the time of her birth, her father was the pastor of First Evangelical Church, Lock Haven (later named First Evangelical United Brethren and now First United Methodist). Joan grew up in Williamsport and attended the Williamsport Public Schools, graduating in 1952. While attending Williamsport High School, she met her future husband, Bruce David Fisher, in 1952, while both served on the Student Executive Committee. He was president of the group and after scolding her for doing homework during meetings, he walked her home to apologize. She went on to attend the Williamsport Hospital School of Nursing on a full scholarship from the Women's Club of Williamsport. She was sponsored for the scholarship by Mrs. Hoyer, of Hoyer's Photo (who was a prominent member of the club) following the unexpected death of Joan's father in 1952. She had to maintain high marks to retain her scholarship and could often be found studying hard in the library.
Joan was president of her nursing school class when she graduated in 1955. She remained a registered nurse for 55 years. During her long career in nursing, she worked at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro; Overlook Hospital, Summit, N.J.; and Centre County Hospital, Bellefonte while following her husband on his appointments with the Methodist and later United Methodist Church. Joan and Bruce were married on June 18, 1955 in the Morris Methodist Church, one of five churches on the Morris Circuit, his first charge as a pre-ministerial student at Lycoming College. They honeymooned at Niagara Fall, New York and Canada, returning home only after they exhausted exactly half of their funds, leaving enough for the trip home. Through their 55 years of marriage, she always supported his ministry and the churches he was serving.
Joan was a loving wife and mother to her five sons and grandchildren. She was an avid flower and vegetable gardener. She loved people and hugged all of them and always had a kind word or ready smile. She will be missed by her community, her church, her family, and many friends.
Joan is survived by her husband of 55 years, Rev. Dr. Bruce D. Fisher; five sons, David J. Fisher, of Etters, Stephen T. Fisher, M.D., and his wife, Dianne, of Columbus, Ohio, Mark P. Fisher, of Bellefonte, Paul C. Fisher, and his wife, Sylvia, of Fort Worth, Texas, Douglas W. Fisher, and his wife, Dawn, M.D., of Fairfax, Va.; 11 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter, and a sister, Barbara Jean Hendl, of Erie. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Lyne Maneval, of State College and Ruth Anne Strengall, of Covena, Calif.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010, at 3 p.m., at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3rd & Market Streets, Bloomsburg, with the Rev. Jay E. Jones, pastor of the church and the Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Salsgiver, Superintendent of the Lewisburg District officiating. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society , 1948 E. Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701. Arrangements by Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market Street, Bloomsburg. Online condolences, to www.krinerfuneralhomes.com.